The first major tennis event of the year has begun in Melbourne. There was no drama, no big upsets, and no heat wave to spoil the opening.
All but 2 of the men’s seeded players won their matches. Unfortunately, one who didn’t was American Sam Querrey, No. 18.
No. 2, and defending champion, Roger Federer, displayed a dominating performance to open his title quest. No. 3 Novak Djokovic also won easily. Other top men seeing action were No. 6 Tomas Berdych, No. 8 Andy Roddick, and No. 9 Fernando Verdasco, all winning decisively.
No. 12 Gael Monfils was on the verge of losing to Thiemo de Bakker. Monfils was down 2 sets and behind 5-2 in the 3rd when de Bakker fell apart. Monfils rallied to win the 3rd set 7-5 and cruised to a win in the next 2 sets.
American Ryan Harrison joined Querrey on the losing side, leaving Roddick (8), Mardy Fish (16), and John Isner (20) to carry the flag for the U.S.
The women followed a similar pattern, with only 2 of the lower seeds losing on opening day.
The top-seeded woman, Caroline Wozniacki, won easily over doubles specialist Gisela Dulko. No. 4, American Venus Williams, No. 6 Francesca Schiavone, No. 8 Victoria Azarenka, and No. 9 Na Li all won. Only Schiavone required the full 3 sets.
No. 11 Justine Henin struggled early against Sania Mirza before advancing in 3 sets. No. 14 Maria Sharapova put on a clinic with her dismissal of Tamarine Tanasugarn.
Unseeded American Bethanie Mattek-Sands fell in 3 sets, one better than Jill Craybas. U.S. player Vania King survived in 3 sets.
Australian favorite Jarmila Groth lost a close battle with No. 21 Yanina Wickmayer.
